Unity | Undivided | Drew Moore
Not only do you live in a world that invites you to see things one way, but even more, to distance yourself from people who see things any other way. It can be difficult to stick together as you encounter people with all kinds of thoughts, emotions, and opinions. However, sticking together is exactly what Jesus prayed for in his last days on earth in John 17. It's easy to be divided; unity takes effort. People of God have a unique opportunity to listen to God and stay together as the world around gets angry, places blame, takes offense, and casts judgment. A people committed to God who makes peace, lives steadily, listens slowly is so refreshing. Theologian N.T. Wright says, "The result of this will that the world will see, and know, that this kind of human community, united across all traditional barriers of race, custom, gender or class, can only come from the action of creator God." Unity, not uniformity, reflects God's very own undivided nature, is a sign of maturity, and is a daily practice. Ephesians 4:3 says, "Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit." What will your first step be to make every effort?
KEY VERSES
John 17:9 ESV: I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.
John 17:6-19 NLT: “I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word.Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me.“My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.“Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
John 17:11 ESV: And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.
John 17:14, John 17:16 ESV: I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
John 17:12-13 ESV: While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
John 17:6 NLT: “I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word.
John 17:17 NLT: Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.
John 17:18 NLT: Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.
HEARING WHAT GOD IS SAYING
One of the best ways to hear what God is saying right now is to look at what He has said in the Bible with a few friends. Discovery Bible Study is an easy-to-use way to hear from God, make good changes in our lives, and share with others what God is up to. Grab some friends, pick a verse or story from above and dive in deeper to this week’s message.
Recap
+ Reconnect
To begin the study, each person answers these questions:
- What are you thankful for?
- What is causing stress for our neighbors and people around us?
- What can we as individuals or as a group do to help?
+ Recap
- Have someone retell the story from your previous meeting.
- Did you live out your response from last week?
- Did you tell anyone else about the story from last week?
Discovering What God Is Saying
+ Read and Retell the Bible Story
- One person reads the story out loud to the group.
- Someone else in the group retells the story in their own words as they remember it, and others fill in what’s missing.
+ Read and Look
- Read the passage again (different version if possible)
- What does this passage say about God, Jesus, or His plan?
+ Read and Look Again
- Have 1-2 more people retell the story as if they were telling a neighbor outside their home.
- What does this passage say about people in general?
Doing What God Is Saying
+ Consider
- What in me needs to change to better DO what God is showing me today?
- How will you respond to/obey this passage in a tangible, perhaps even costly ways in the next 47 hours?
- Have someone record these for prayer time, and for the beginning of the next meeting.
Sharing what God is saying
+ Praying Together
- Take prayer requests
- Pray together
+ Share
- Who in your life needs to hear this story?
- Who could you invite to study the Bible like this?
Become a Partner
Every time you give in Jesus’ name, you make a difference in others AND you make a difference in your own life! Partnering together in generosity helps accomplish things together that could never be accomplished alone! You can partner together in giving today with a single gift, or schedule recurring giving using your checking account, debit, or credit card.